VON TASZ SHEPHERDS
Top Quality Breeding Stock Since 1981
Polo's PennHip Evaluation
A PennHIP evaluation results in a confidential report to the owner indicating the dog's Distraction Index (DI). The DI is a measure of passive hip laxity and is expressed as a number between 0.0 and 1.0. (A DI near O.0 would indicate no joint laxity and very tight hips. A DI closer to 1.0 would indicate a high degree of laxity and very loose hips.) Joint laxity (looseness) the primary cause of degenerative joint disease. Notably, dogs with a DI of 0.3 have tighter hips and are less likely to develop DJD, while those with looser hips whose DI values approach 0.7 or more are at greater risk. Each PennHip report not only identifies the DI for each of your dog's hips but also includes findings as related to DJD, Cavitation, and "Other". (Also, please see the notation below this certificate.)
The Distraction Index (DI) rating associated with each of your dog's hips is the most important information. The percentile chart (indicated on the bottom of the PennHip certificate) only indicates where your dog was rated based on the number of same breed dogs already evaluated. Therefore, as more and more GSD's are evaluated, the percentile number will change but the DI stays constant.
Polo's hips were evaluated back in 1998, therefore, where he rates on the above chart has changed since many more GSD's have been evaluated since that time. The important factor is his DI rating, which is very good, and the fact that no other hip related problems are present.
Link To Detailed PennHip Information
Return to Polo's Information Page
For more stud service information and/or puppy referrals, please contact:
Diana L. Updike
email: vontasz@yahoo.com